Prospect Info: 2020 Devils-Centric Final Mock Draft, Rounds 1 & 2

[StevenToddIves]

He can dream about anything his twisted little mind conjures up and that's what it feeds him? He needs to expand his horizons.

Hey, I can dream about Fiona Apple and he can dream about Lucas Raymond. Ultimately, I'm fine with that trade-off.

 

[StevenToddIves]

not to give away his whole blog, but Cordell reached out to 2 different FO members of other teams and they both had the same guesses as to who will be off the board when we pick at 7th:

Lafreniere
Stutzle
Byfield
Perfetti
Raymond
Sanderson

leaving us to choose between Rossi and Drysdale.

I've been saying for awhile that I think the #7 pick will almost certainly be one of Rossi, Raymond or Drysdale.

Speaking of which -- remember three months ago when I said Sanderson would probably be the first defenseman drafted and people acted like I was off my rocker? Well, I just wanted to say that I am off my rocker, but I'm probably right about Sanderson.

 

[StevenToddIves]

You’re getting noticeably better at this internet snark thing... and I approve.

Oh, come on. @Nubmer6 stuck that on a tee for us. It seemed a shame not to swing away.

 

[AfroThunder396]

You’d take Lundell over Askarov? I get being averse to a goalie but Askarov has far higher upside than Lundell

I wouldn't take either, I'm just saying I'd be less mad if we overdrafted a forward than if we overdrafted a goalie.

 

[StevenToddIves]

What would be the opinion on taking Tyson Foerster with 18 or 20? Dude has an absolute cannon of a shot, solid passer, good size (6'2", 194 lbs) and good defensively, similar to Jack Quinn he absolutely shot up with a huge improvement over his last season, went from 10-13-23 in 64 to 36-44-80 in 62, which to me displays a kid who wants to work really damn hard to get better. By all accounts from his coaches and teammates as well he is a hardworking kid and he shows it in his play, but could definitely use to improve his skating and even strength scoring a little bit. Even so, I'd say this kid would be a solid player to choose at 18 or 20, especially if we don't get Quinn or Holtz at 7.

I love Foerster, but he's likely the most troublesome skater to go in the first three rounds, much less the first. Everything about his game screams second-line stud power sniper, but the skating really needs to improve. I'm not saying I would not consider Foerster, but some of the players available at #20 will have similar goal-scoring ability and lack this type of concern. Just something to think about.

 

[RememberTheName]

I love Foerster, but he's likely the most troublesome skater to go in the first three rounds, much less the first. Everything about his game screams second-line stud power sniper, but the skating really needs to improve. I'm not saying I would not consider Foerster, but some of the players available at #20 will have similar goal-scoring ability and lack this type of concern. Just something to think about.

I'm not going to disagree with this statement, but I'm also not necessarily going to agree with it. I'd say his skating right now is average, its not good, but its not particularly bad either. I'd say he has some slightly above average attributes, like his top speed and edges, but his biggest hinderance is how slow his acceleration is. It's why we don't think his top speed is as good as it is, because it takes him so damn long to reach it.
The one thing that I give to prospects like Foerster is if I see a lot of improvement in their draft year, it instantly gives me a lot more confidence about whether or not they are going to improve in some of their weaker aspects. Him jumping up essentially 60 points from last year to this year is a huge indicator that this kid is super hardworking and wants to put the best version of himself onto the ice come time for the season. While I do think that this is applicable to a lot of prospects, the idea of being really hardworking and stuff, but when I see that kind of meteoric rise and watch the player and can tell just how skilled they are, I know that these kinds of issues can get resolved over time. At least it is an issue that is fixable as well. Many players will just never get it with the work ethic, or they can't think the game at a high enough speed, and those aren't really things that can be controlled as much as skating can be.

 

[glenwo2]

Recent podcast discussing the draft done with Paul Castron
PODCAST: Paul Castron Joins Speak of the Devils
If anyone wants some of the more notable points of discussion, I'll list them out

• #1 Attribute for Castron when rating prospects: Hockey IQ (3 following were skating, skill, and heart)
  
• Does not seem to care much about size when rating a prospect
• Lots of debate over Askarov, joked a possibility (not that they were going to do it or anything) that if they wanted him, they would probably have to trade up to 10 to take him (18+20 for 10)
• Mentioned that he thinks whoever they select at 7 could possibly play in the NHL this year (I didn't remember him saying this but Loughlin mentioned it in a recap at the end of the podcast) which definitely came as a bit of a surprise to me
• Scouts are not yet allowed to be inside the building for SHL games but are allowed for all Swedish Junior League games, which is a little strange
• Not really much name dropping, but did mention how it was very impressive for two draft eligibles to lead the OHL in scoring (Rossi and Perfetti)
• One of the things that annoys Castron in interviews is during the question that they ask "Where do you see yourself in 3-5 years?" and prospects have unrealistic expectations for where they will be: Doesn't fault the prospect for trying to be confident, but prefers answers like "I will probably spend another year or two in Juniors developing X skill and then move onto the AHL to get pro experience and then I'll hopefully be with the team"; This mostly goes for prospects after the top 10 or so who this will be true for

I imagine the first two are exactly why he drafted Jesper Bratt.

Also, him stating that whomever they selected at 7 possibly playing in the NHL that same year may depend on if someone like Rossi was there as I feel he wouldn't be the proverbial "fish out of water" though it's preferable still to have him spend at least one season in the AHL or something.

 

[Guadana]

I've been saying for awhile that I think the #7 pick will almost certainly be one of Rossi, Raymond or Drysdale.

Speaking of which -- remember three months ago when I said Sanderson would probably be the first defenseman drafted and people acted like I was off my rocker? Well, I just wanted to say that I am off my rocker, but I'm probably right about Sanderson.

Initially, I insisted on the fact that Yzerman will take Sanderson. I had a long thought about whether Sanderson would go third to the Ottawa, but I didn't dare to be so bold.

 

[New Jersey Devils]

Fairly convinced we'll have a choice between Drysdale/Rossi/Sanderson. And I'll pretty damn happy with any of them.

 

[glenwo2]

Fairly convinced we'll have a choice between Drysdale/Rossi/Sanderson. And I'll pretty damn happy with any of them.

The NHL, though, begs to differ apparently :

Mock 2020 NHL Draft: Byfield, Stuetzle could go No. 2 to Kings

Although, I wouldn't be at all disappointed if we came out with Holtz should Rossi be off the board.

 

[StevenToddIves]

The NHL, though, begs to differ apparently :

Mock 2020 NHL Draft: Byfield, Stuetzle could go No. 2 to Kings

Although, I wouldn't be at all disappointed if we came out with Holtz should Rossi be off the board.

You of course realize that the writers at NHL.com still go by the CSS ratings. The CSS ratings are to modern prospect analysis what the Edsel is to Tesla.

 

[StevenToddIves]

I wouldn't take either, I'm just saying I'd be less mad if we overdrafted a forward than if we overdrafted a goalie.

Tristen Robins! Bwahahahaha!

 

[glenwo2]

You of course realize that the writers at NHL.com still go by the CSS ratings. The CSS ratings are to modern prospect analysis what the Edsel is to Tesla.

Well I wouldn't know CSS from ASS so if you say it's baloney, then it's baloney.

 

[The Devil In I]

I imagine the first two are exactly why he drafted Jesper Bratt.

Also, him stating that whomever they selected at 7 possibly playing in the NHL that same year may depend on if someone like Rossi was there as I feel he wouldn't be the proverbial "fish out of water" though it's preferable still to have him spend at least one season in the AHL or something.

Yea I'd imagine only Rossi has the possibility of being in the NHL next year, at least around where we pick. Mayyyybe Sanderson based on maturity and play style, mixed with LD being a positional need...but I think he'd definitely benefit more from further development in college and the NHL wouldn't be the best choice for him. Drysdale wouldn't make sense rushing an RD and Raymond is supposed to be the furthest away from his potential out of all of them.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Rossi vs. Drysdale is such a difficult toss up. Of course you likely can’t go wrong with either one, but I’d have a tough time making that choice if I was in Fitz’s shoes.

 

[StevenToddIves]

Well I wouldn't know CSS from ASS so if you say it's baloney, then it's baloney.

The NHL.com guys must use only CSS rankings in their draft articles, because the CSS is an NHL-sponsored organization and so is the website. The CSS -- and this is almost funny to me -- still make two sets of rankings, split into North American and European prospects. Most of the guys working for the CSS have been there since about the turn of the century -- the 20th century -- so they still value size and physicality over, you know, the ability to play hockey.

Here's their 2020 N. American top 20:

1	1	LAFRENIERE, ALEXIS	6' 1"	193	LEFT WING	RIMOUSKI	QMJHL
2	2	BYFIELD, QUINTON	6' 4"	215	CENTER	SUDBURY	OHL
3	3	DRYSDALE, JAMIE	5' 11"	175	DEFENSEMAN	ERIE	OHL
4	11	SANDERSON, JAKE	6' 2"	185	DEFENSEMAN	USA U-18	NTDP
5	4	PERFETTI, COLE	5' 10"	177	CENTER	SAGINAW	OHL
6	5	ROSSI, MARCO	5' 9"	183	CENTER	OTTAWA	OHL
7	9	QUINN, JACK	6' 0"	176	RIGHT WING	OTTAWA	OHL
8	7	GUHLE, KAIDEN	6' 2"	186	DEFENSEMAN	PRINCE ALBERT	WHL
9	8	SCHNEIDER, BRADEN	6' 2"	202	DEFENSEMAN	BRANDON	WHL
10	6	MERCER, DAWSON	6' 0"	180	CENTER	CHICOUTIMI	QMJHL
11	19	JARVIS, SETH	5' 10"	175	CENTER	PORTLAND	WHL
12	10	HOLLOWAY, DYLAN	6' 0"	203	CENTER	WISCONSIN	BIG10
13	13	LAPIERRE, HENDRIX	6' 0"	179	CENTER	CHICOUTIMI	QMJHL
14	25	GREIG, RIDLY	5' 11"	163	CENTER	BRANDON	WHL
15	12	ZARY, CONNOR	6' 0"	178	CENTER	KAMLOOPS	WHL
16	15	BARRON, JUSTIN	6' 2"	195	DEFENSEMAN	HALIFAX	QMJHL
17	17	PERREAULT, JACOB	5' 11"	192	RIGHT WING	SARNIA	OHL
18	16	POIRIER, JEREMIE	6' 0"	196	DEFENSEMAN	SAINT JOHN	QMJHL
19	14	WIESBLATT, OZZY	5' 10"	183	RIGHT WING	PRINCE ALBERT	WHL
20	31	BRISSON, BRENDAN

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

And here's the Euro top 20:

1	1	STUETZLE, TIM	6' 1"	187	LEFT WING	MANNHEIM	GERMANY
2	3	HOLTZ, ALEXANDER	6' 0"	192	RIGHT WING	DJURGARDEN	SWEDEN
3	4	LUNDELL, ANTON	6' 1"	185	CENTER	HIFK	FINLAND
4	2	RAYMOND, LUCAS	5' 11"	170	LEFT WING	FROLUNDA	SWEDEN
5	5	AMIROV, RODION	6' 0"	177	LEFT WING	UFA	RUSSIA
6	21	GRANS, HELGE	6' 2"	206	DEFENSEMAN	MALMO JR.	SWEDEN-JR.
7	8	PETERKA, JOHN-JASON	5' 11"	192	RIGHT WING	MUNCHEN	GERMANY
8	10	NIEMELA, TOPI	5' 10"	156	DEFENSEMAN	KARPAT	FINLAND
9	6	GUNLER, NOEL	6' 2"	176	RIGHT WING	LULEA	SWEDEN
10	11	HIRVONEN, RONI	5' 9"	164	CENTER	ASSAT	FINLAND
11	14	REICHEL, LUKAS	6' 0"	170	LEFT WING	EISBAREN BERLIN	GERMANY
12	28	KHUSNUTDINOV, MARAT	5' 11"	176	CENTER	SKA ST. PETERSBURG 2	RUSSIA-JR.
13	12	TORGERSSON, DANIEL	6' 3"	199	LEFT WING	FROLUNDA JR.	SWEDEN-JR.
14	7	WALLINDER, WILLIAM	6' 4"	191	DEFENSEMAN	MODO JR.	SWEDEN-JR.
15	13	ANDRAE, EMIL	5' 8"	181	DEFENSEMAN	HV 71 JR.	SWEDEN-JR.
16	15	VIRO, EEMIL	6' 0"	165	DEFENSEMAN	TPS	FINLAND
17	18	MUKHAMADULLIN, SHAKIR	6' 4"	178	DEFENSEMAN	UFA	RUSSIA
18	24	JARVENTIE, ROBY	6' 2"	184	LEFT WING	KOOVEE	FINLAND-2
19	19	NIEDERBACH, THEODOR	5' 11"	172	CENTER	FROLUNDA JR.	SWEDEN-JR.
20	43	JURMO, JONI

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I mean, sure Lucas Raymond can score 50,000 points at the NHL level. But can he hit?

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

From Randy Miller:
"From my talks with the Devils, my sense is that they’re hoping to get Rossi, Raymond or Drysdale, but we’ll see how it shakes out."

This is my gut feeling as well. I would not be surprised if Raymond ends up being the pick (and I would love it).

 

[PKs Broken Stick]

Fairly convinced we'll have a choice between Drysdale/Rossi/Sanderson. And I'll pretty damn happy with any of them.

I'm not sure why some of you guys think Sanderson will be available for us. It would be a huge red flag for me personally if Detroit and Anaheim passed on him. I don't think he will be available.

 

[My3Sons]

Hey, I can dream about Fiona Apple and he can dream about Lucas Raymond. Ultimately, I'm fine with that trade-off.

When you are married for 26 years with three kids and two dogs you dream about having enough free time to read something more than a short story.

 

[StevenToddIves]

When you are married for 26 years with three kids and two dogs you dream about having enough free time to read something more than a short story.

You just won HF Boards.

 

[dls]

Gut tells me we end up being pleasantly surprised...

the ideal outcome would be we get two of the top tier players. we trade back "up" to 8-12 range - I could see any number of outcomes.

- Also wouldn't be surprised to see one of Gusev/Kyle traded if not tomorrow sometime this offseason after the dominoes start to fall...
- Also could see Severson but that's only if organizationally we can find
- based on Fitz's feedback and blitzer/harris history of not having a partial tear down -

gradually move to a new
top 6 core of:
Hughes/Hischer/Foote/Bratt/7th if rossi/raymond
Smith/Bahl/Walsh/7 if drysdale/sanderson
Bot 6 of:
Zacha (trade bait for D), Mcleod, Kukk, Boq, Thompson etc....

Obv not all of these will pan out but you get the gist.

Been a diff couple of years as a devs fan vs the 90's and 00's teams of being uber-competitive.